| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009 7:29 am |
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 Former Tip Shaun Heshka headed to the NHL The next Everett Silvertips alumni is set to join the ranks of the NHL as defeseman Shaun Heshka was called up by the Phoenix Coyotes today. Now let's see if I get this right. Heshka, when he gets into a game, will become the fifth (?) former Silvertip to crack the NHL, joining Peter Mueller, Michael Wall, Ivan Baranka and Riley Armstrong. Only Mueller has managed to hold down a regular place so far. Please correct me if I'm forgetting someone. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Live blog: Everett at Calgary The Tips finish up their swing through the Central Division tonight against the Central's top team. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Live blog: Everett at Lethbridge Tips try to make it five-for-five on their road trip tonight in Lethbridge. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Live blog: Everett at Medicine Hat Tips try to make it four straight to start off the road trip tonight. Be here to find out if they can do it against the highest-scoring team in the league. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Reader poll: road tripping (part 2) This week's poll is a follow-up (OK, maybe cop-out is a more appropriate term) on last week's poll. However, I think Everett's road trip against the Central Division teams needs to be reassessed now that the Tips have started out 3-0. So: ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Nicholas Walters, Alberta prevail at U-16 tournament Everett prospect Nicholas Walters' Team Alberta won the championship at the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup today. Alberta avenged its round-robin defeat, beating Manitoba 6-4 in today's title game. Walters, Everett's first-round pick in this year's bantam draft, is right behind Alberta captain Matt Dumba in the team photo. Tips prospect Kohl Bauml scored in the bronze-medal game as Saskatchewan beat B.C. 4-2. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Live blog: Everett at Edmonton Don't forget that today is an afternoon game. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
U-16 Western Challenge: day three; plus early live blogging tomorrow The final day of the round robin at the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup took place today. Everett prospect Jordyn Boyd scored again for Manitoba. He finished with two goals and three assists as Manitoba went 3-0 in the round robin (apparently one of Boyd's earlier goals was changed to an assist). Saskatchewan's Kohl Bauml also got on the scoreboard for the first time. That means three of Everett's four participating prospects (Boyd, Bauml, Jari Erricson for B.C.) have scored. The only one who hasn't is Alberta's Nicholas Walters, who as a stay-at-home defenseman isn't expected to score anyway. The championship and third-place games are tomorrow. As for the Tips themselves, a reminder that tomorrow's game in Edmonton is a 1 p.m. start. I will be live blogging again, so take a moment away from the NFL to check in. Don't forget that clocks are set back an hour tonight, too. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Live blog: Everett at Red Deer I'll be providing the blow-by-blow via the video feed again, and as always the first 25 contestants receive the opportunity to provide comments unmoderated. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
U-16 Western Challenge: day two; plus live blogging The day two results are in from the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup. Among Everett's prospects both Jari Erricson (B.C.) and Jordyn Boyd (Manitoba) had a goal and an assist. Alberta's Nicholas Walters and Saskatchewan's Kohl Bauml were held pointless. And don't forget, I'll be live blogging during tomorrow night's Tips game at Red Deer, so tune in. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment U-16 Western Challenge: day one The first day of the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup was completed Thursday. Jordyn Boyd was the first Everett prospect to hit the scoresheet, tallying for Manitoba. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Tips add forward Just received word that the Tips have found replacement for the departed Paul Van de Velde, calling up Scott MacDonald to provide forward depth. MacDonald, an 18-year-old left wing from Surrey, B.C., played for Chilliwack last season, registering four goals, eight assists and 25 penalty minutes in 63 games. He wasn't retained by the Bruins and has been plying his trade for the Westside Warriors of the BCHL, where in 15 games he had eight goals, 12 assists and two penalty minutes. On Westside's roster he's listed at 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds. Doubt this is a difference-changing move for the Tips, given he was unable to crack Chilliwack's roster this season. Nevertheless, he was off to a good start for Westside, ranking third in scoring on a team with a good record. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Byron Froese summoned again Everett center Byron Froese got the call by Canada again today, being selected to represent Team WHL at this year's Canada-Russia Super Series. The 18-year-old Froese will be a part of the Team WHL squad that takes on a Russian all-star team on Nov. 25 in Victoria, B.C. This is a follow up on Froese's hugely successful stint playing for Team Canada at the U-18 World Championships last April. Froese was the only Silvertip chosen to participate this year. The only players eligible to play are those eligible for Canada's team for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships. Everett happens to play on Nov. 25, hosting the Spokane Chiefs, so the Tips will be minus a top player for that contest. Spokane will be missing two players as left wing Levko Koper and defenseman Jared Cowen were selected for that game, too. Noticeably absent from the roster for either of Team WHL's games is current Chief and former Silvertip Kyle Beach, who apparently remains on Hockey Canada's black list. At least it means Beach's return to Comcast Arena remains on schedule. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment U-16 Western Challenge With a little break in Everett's road trip, it gives us the opportunity to check in with the inaugural Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup, which kicks off today in Blackfalds, Alberta. This tournament pits 1994-born all-star teams from each of the four western provinces (B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) against one another in a round-robin format. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure of the purpose behind this tournament, other than to let everyone get a look at many of the picks from the past bantam draft together in one location. But Everett has one prospect on each team -- center Jari Erricson for B.C., defenseman Nicholas Walters for Alberta, center Kohl Bauml for Saskatchewan, left wing Jordyn Boyd for Manitoba. The Prince George Citizen did a nice story on Erricson in advance of the tournament, but I can't seem to find it anywhere on its website. Perhaps it will pop up later today. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Live blog: Everett at Kootenay I'll be watching the video feed tonight, so I'll have a better idea what's happening. As always, the first 25 commenters who provide a user name become unmoderated. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Paul Van de Velde update: traded Left winger Paul Van de Velde, who was reassigned yesterday, has been traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for a conditional ninth-round bantam draft pick. This reinforces the idea that Van de Velde, who wasn't getting a lot of ice time with the Tips, asked to be moved. The conditional nature probably involves playing a certain number of games with Brandon. This is a pretty good deal for Van de Velde, provided he can crack Brandon's lineup. This puts him close to home and with the team hosting the Memorial Cup. Good luck to Paul, hope he can make things work out with the Wheat Kings. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Live blogging back in full force, at least for now Good news on the live blogging front as I will be allowed to purchase the video feeds for the games during Everett's road trip through the Central Division. Where it goes from there is yet to be determined, but at least for the next six games I'll be able to provide a running commentary and analysis of the action. Hope to see you Wednesday night for the Kootenay game. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Van de Velde reassigned The Tips announced this evening that left wing Paul Van de Velde has been reassigned to Waywayseecappo of the MJHL. This is an interesting move. On the one hand Van de Velde is a 19-year-old who was playing limited minutes on the fourth line. I'm sure he'd like to play more, and I'm sure the Tips would like young forwards Campbell Elynuik, D.Jay McGrath and Josh Winquist to get more playing time in order to develop. In that sense I can see why this happened. However, the timing of the move is curious. Everett's just about to head out on its eastern road trip, which is always a grind. Reassigning Van de Velde means the Tips have 13 forwards on the roster, just one more than usually dress for a game. Plus, left wing Dan Iwanski and center Chris Langkow have been out injured (though both practiced today and the Tips hope both will be ready Wednesday), while right wing Kellan Tochkin is out sick. With defenseman Ryan Murray (broken thumb) definitely out for the road trip and with defenseman Alex Theriau also missing practice today because of illness, one has to wonder whether the Tips will have enough healthy bodies to make it through the trip. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment We have our first casualty ... If you haven't heard yet, the first coach firing of the season happened today when Kamloops axed Barry Smith just five weeks into the season. Could this be the first time in history -- any sport, any league -- that a coach has been fired before the media guides had arrived? Just asking. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Reader poll: road tripping The Tips hit the road this week for their longest road trip of the season. The team departs Tuesday for its swing through the Central Division, six games in 10 days beginning Wednesday at Kootenay. A pretty standard schedule this year, with the exception of the quick turnaround this weekend, when the Tips play Saturday night at Red Deer followed by a Sunday afternoon game at Edmonton. So this week's poll question is pretty simple. And feel free to predict what the specific results will be in the comments section: ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Brandon 5, Everett 2 TALKING POINTS Well, the third period, which has been so kind to Everett so far this season, pulled the rug out from under the Tips tonight. Just a brutal third period played by Everett as the Tips imploded to the tune of four unanswered Brandon goals. And those wounds were self-inflicted, too, as the tying and go-ahead goals were scored straight off bad Everett turnovers, and the insurance goal was scored on a power play that resulted from a bad penalty. Rasmus Rissanen and Alex Theriau were the culprits on those plays, but it was a team effort (or non-effort) in the third period for the Tips. After tonight I think we can put talk of Everett being a third-period team on hold for a while. Can't fault Tips goaltender Kent Simpson for Brandon's goals in this one. I thought Simpson played well, making some big-time saves. But special teams once again weren't so special for the Tips. Everett allowed two power-play goals and a shortie, and the Tips didn't come close to capitalizing when Brandon took three penalties in a span of 1:12 late in the first period. The Tips played without overage center Chris Langkow, who sustained an upper-body injury Friday night in Vancouver. Langkow took the warm-up, but did not play. As for Brandon, I'm not sure I saw a Memorial Cup-caliber team out there tonight. What I did see were two dynamite lines that are definitely Memorial Cup worthy. The big question for the Wheat Kings is whether they can develop the necessary depth to be a Cup contender. TURNING POINT Despite Everett's bad play in the third period, the Tips had a golden opportunity to tie it back up at 3-3 with six minutes remaining. However, Tips leading goal scorer Tyler Maxwell somehow missed an open net when set up by Paul Sohor in transition. HIT OF THE DAY Late in the first period Brandon's Matt Calvert lined up Radko Gudas and hammered him into the wall, prompting Theriau to instigate a fight with Calvert. THREE STARS First star: Calvert. One goal and was an absolute fireball. On a team with lots of offensive stars, he was head and shoulders above the rest tonight. Second star: Gudas. One assist and laid out so many big hits the Wheat Kings were targeting him the entire game. Third star: Jay Fehr, Brandon. Two goals and an assist as he was in on all three of Brandon's special-teams goals. The Herald's honorable mention: Aaron Lewadniuk, Brandon. Two assists and played feisty. BOX SCORE Brandon 5, Everett 2 ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Everett vs. Brandon: lineup notes EVERETT Forward lines: Maxwell-Froese-Tochkin Harper-Dailey-Hunt McCrea-Winquist-Abney Elynuik?-McGrath-Van de Velde Langkow? Defensive pairings: Theriau-Gudas Rissanen-de la Lande McDermott-Sohor Starting goalie: Simpson Scratches: Minville, Iwanski, Elynuik/Langkow, Murray. Notes: The big news is that center Chris Langkow is a question mark tonight. Langkow left Friday night's 4-2 loss at Vancouver early with what was described as an "upper-body" injury. He's out there for the warm-up, so we'll see, but that Shane Harper is listed on a line with Zack Dailey and Dale Hunt makes me skeptical that Langkow's going to play. Left wing Dan Iwanski (knee) and defenseman Ryan Murray (thumb) are out injured. BRANDON Forward lines: Calvert-Schenn-Glennie Rajala-Fehr-Lewadniuk Hale-Ciarelli-Wilson Ferland-King-Walker Defensive pairings: Urbom-Robak Bestland-Melnychuk Schneider-Miller Starting goalie: Hayes Scratches: Ehrhardt, Stone, DePape, Sinatynski, Hall Notes: The eye-opener here is that Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie are listed on a line together. The two Brandon stars were playing on separate lines earlier this season, and I don't know whether they've been reunited for a while now. Right wing Mark Stone (thumb) and center Jordan DePape (foot) are injured. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Live blog: Everett at Vancouver Remember, 25 readers can comment without moderation, so first come, first serve. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Tips and the third period For tomorrow's paper I'm writing about how well Everett has performed in the third period thus far this season. Just how good have the Tips been? Through eight games Everett has outscored its opponents 16-3 in the third. That number in its own right is impressive. What makes it even more amazing is Everett was an awful third-period team last season, getting outscored 100-65 in the third and 7-0 in overtime. Check out tomorrow's paper to find out just why the Tips think things have turned so drastically. Anyway, I figured I'd provide some supplemental stats on the blog. Here are some individual third-period statistics for the Tips (only those who have recorded a stat): Harper 2-6-8, +8 Gudas 3-2-5, +9 Maxwell 3-2-5, +4 Froese 1-3-4, +4 Dailey 1-3-4, +4 Tochkin 2-1-3, +4 Langkow 2-1-3, +4 Murray 0-3-3, +8 Theriau 0-2-2, +1 Rissanen 1-1-2, +1 Abney 1-1-2, +1 McCrea 0-1-1, +2 de la Lande 0-1-1, +1 McGrath 0-1-1, 0 Hunt 0-0-0, +2 Sohor 0-0-0, +1 McDermott 0-0-0, +1 Van de Velde 0-0-0, -1 Third-period shot totals by game (Everett listed first): 9/18 at Seattle, 26-9 9/19 at Vancouver, 9-5 9/26 vs. Vancouver, 9-9 10/7 vs. Portland, 15-7 10/11 vs. Portland, 14-12 10/14 vs. Prince Albert, 8-12 10/16 vs. Seattle, 10-8 10/17 at Kelowna, 9-9 Totals: 100-71 And don't forget, live blogging during tomorrow's game at Vancouver right here, and don your finest pink for Pink the Rink during Saturday's game against Brandon at Comcast Arena. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Live blogging: update The jury's still out regarding whether I'll have access to the online video feed for Friday's game at Vancouver. The higher ups are still discussing how to go about handing the situation. But whether I have video access or not, there will be a live blog of Friday's road game. So those of you who aren't making the trek up to Vancouver, check this spot to be a part of the action. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Bad break for Ryan Murray, Tips In this case literally, as rookie defenseman Ryan Murray will be out at least a month after suffering a broken thumb during Everett's 5-4 victory at Kelowna on Saturday. This is a big blow to the Tips as Murray, in my opinion, was off to the best start of any 16-year-old in franchise history (including Kyle Beach). Thrust straight into the No. 1 defensive pairing as a rookie, he had nine assists in Everett's first eight games and was an astounding plus-14. I expect Alex Theriau to see an increased role while Murray is out. In other injury news, left wing Dan Iwanski continues to be held out of practice because of his knee injury. However, coach Craig Hartsburg said he expects Iwanski to resume skating this week. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Reader poll: newcomers The season is a month old now, and I think we've had enough time to get a feel for Everett's new players. Everett doesn't actually have many newcomers this season, only four who are regulars. However, those four have been impact players for the Tips. Need to know just how much of an impact they've had? Take a look at Everett's stats page on the WHL website. So on to this week's poll question: ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Live blog: Everett at Kelowna A couple of reminders. First, a total of 25 readers can be approved to post unmoderated comments, so it's first come first serve, as long as you provide a user name. Everyone else can still comment, but I'll have to post those comments myself. Second, I'll only be listening to the radio broadcast rather than watching the video feed, so it's up to you to provide the color. See you at 6:45. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Everett 3, Seattle 1 TALKING POINTS Good effort put forth by the Tips tonight. For a while there was a chance Seattle might throw a wrench in the proceedings, as the Tips outshot the T-birds 43-22 yet led by a single goal most of the way. But a tremendous goal sequence (see below) made sure the Tips didn't fall victim to puck luck. Kent Simpson got the start in goal for Everett tonight. Though he played fine, the bigger eye-opener was that he started at all. It was his second consecutive start after taking over early for Thomas Heemskerk on Sunday against Portland. It's possible Everett planned on giving each goaltender one start this weekend and felt it was better to use Heemskerk in the away game against a superior Kelowna team. But it was still worth noting. Still not convinced by Everett's penalty killing. Seattle was 1-for-5 tonight, but generated chances. Outside its power play, the T-birds really didn't do much of anything offensively tonight. TURNING POINT Not so much a turning point, but a securing point. It was 2-1 late in the third period and Seattle was starting to even the play out, if not create much in the way of scoring chances. But when Jonathan Parker carried the puck into the Everett zone, Tips defenseman Radko Gudas flattened Parker with a tremendous open-ice hit. That started the play the other direction, with Ryan Murray skating the puck into the Seattle zone on the right and threading a pass across to Tyler Maxwell, who fired past Seattle goaltender Calvin Pickard to clinch the victory with 2:12 remaining. HIT OF THE DAY Gudas' hit on Parker was probably the best hit I've seen the past two seasons. An absolute full-speed steamroll job in open ice. THREE STARS First star: Simpson, Everett. 21 saves in his second straight start, but didn't have a whole lot to do. Second star: Pickard. 40 saves, it seems you have to do something special to beat him. Third star: Murray. Two more assists for the 16-year-old, though I'd like to get a look at his birth certificate for proof. 16-year-old defensemen do not play like this. The Herald's honorable mention: Gudas. One assist and the hit of the season so far. He probably would have been a part of hits No. 2 and 3, too. BOX SCORE Everett 3, Seattle 1 ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Everett vs. Seattle: lineup notes EVERETT Forward lines: Maxwell-Froese-Tochkin Harper-Langkow-Abney McCrea-Dailey-Hunt Elynuik-McGrath-Van de Velde Defensive pairings: Murray-Gudas Rissanen-de la Lande Minville-Theriau Starting goalie: Simpson Scratches: Winquist, Iwanski, McDermott, Sohor. Notes: One change for Everett from the team that beat Prince Albert 5-1 on Wednesday as defenseman Gabe Minville makes his WHL debut at the expense of Paul Sohor. Left wing Dan Iwanski remains sidelined with his knee injury. Kent Simpson makes his second straight start in goal for the Tips. SEATTLE Forward lines: Lund-Alos-Acolatse Wells-Nielsen-Silvester Haber/Fleming-Rai-Parker Sentyurin-Lockhart-Jacobs Defensive pairings: Schappert-Warg Chaffin-Muth Ramsay-Dillon Starting goalie: Pickard Scratches: Tutt, Rouse, Doty, Elliot, Haber/Fleming Notes: The T-birds give a WHL debut to Russian left wing Mikhail Sentyurin, who just received his international clearance. However, recently-acquired center Brendan Rouse hasn't yet arrived from Brandon. Brad Haber and Erik Fleming, both defensemen, are listed as vying for a wing spot on Seattle's top line. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Live blogging: good news, bad news; plus reader feedback Everett's next away game is Saturday at Kelowna, and I'd experimented with live blogging during the Tips' last away game at Vancouver, so it's time to give an update on the situation. First the bad news. The paper hasn't signed off on purchasing the video feeds from the away games, so I will not be able to watch the away games. That makes live blogging a little difficult. However, that doesn't mean there can't be a live blog, it just means I won't be able to contribute much. So I'm going to remain in the experimental stage and give it another go Saturday, but without the video, and we'll see how it goes. I know there were others watching the video feed during the previous live blog, so you all will have to be the blog's eyes. Anyway, onto item two. I received an e-mail from Michael Sheehan with several questions. I'll deal with those one at a time: 1) Michael: I was wondering how soon you get the forward lines and D-pairings on game day. I am always interested in order to do homework for the visiting team. Nick: Usually I get the lines somewhere between a half hour and an hour before the opening faceoff. As I'm sure many of you have noticed, I've begun posting those before the game starts. They're up as soon as I get them, so I'm afraid there's no getting them to you any earlier. 2) Michael: Something I was curious about on Sunday was Abney playing on the 4th line, and got limited ice time (at least in the first two periods). I wonder if it is a dog-house situation. Nick: The fact Cameron Abney lined up with Shane Harper and Chris Langkow on Wednesday night pretty much answers that question. Even in earlier games Abney would begin the game on the fourth line, but as often as not would finish it on a higher line. So I don't think he's been in the doghouse. 3) Michael: I wonder, too, if Hartburg has finally learned to keep the kid line together! Nick: It certainly worked Wednesday. If Kellan Tochkin Byron Froese and Tyler Maxwell continue to play the way they did in the first period against Prince Albert, I'm sure they'll remain together. But I get the feeling Craig Hartsburg has a quicker trigger finger when it comes to changing lines than his predecessors. 4) Michael: I see some problems with the way Gudas plays ... no, not the way he hits. Love him. I think he often gets so focused on the hit, that he takes himself SO far out of position that on several occasions he has been top of the circle or even outside the blue line (!) when the puck is loose in front of his own net. Check out film of the home Vancouver game and the Giants' tying goal. See the film on the two Portland games. I wonder if he just needs to be reminded. He is a stud if he just learns to pick his spots. Nick: Radko Gudas is definitely an aggressive player, and that's one of the consequences for his aggressive play. It's not an uncommon phenomenon -- I remember Mitch Love on occasion being guilty of putting himself out of position to make a hit, too. It's a delicate line to walk because you don't want to discourage a player from being aggressive, but you want them to be smart, too. But so far the trade off has worked in Everett's favor as Gudas is a plus-12 in six games, which isn't too shabby. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Everett 5, Prince Albert 1 TALKING POINTS OK, I've been referring to Byron Froese, Kellan Tochkin and Tyler Maxwell as the artists formerly known as the Kid Line in jest, just because now that they're 18-year-old veterans and NHL properties I don't consider them kids any more -- at least at this level -- and no one's come up with anything new. However, I'm starting to think the name isn't all that inappropriate as what they did during the first period tonight was pure artistry. Just some absolute breathtaking stuff en route to three goals and nine points. This was the first time I've seen them look the way they did when at their best last season. It's a good thing they were on early because the Tips slowed down considerably in the final two periods. Prince Albert outshot the Tips 25-15 in the last two periods and probably controlled the puck more. However, there was a noticeable difference in skill on the ice tonight, and the Raiders didn't quite have the skill to take advantage of their chances the way the Tips did. One other note. Everett killed off all four Prince Albert power plays. That's the first time this season the Tips haven't surrendered a power-play goal. Nevertheless, I'm still not sold on Everett's new penalty-killing style. Prince Albert created chances, and opponents are having little difficulty setting their plays up against the Tips as Everett is sucking back pretty deep. TURNING POINT Goal No. 3 from Tochkin-Froese-Maxwell pretty much did the trick for Everett, their pinpoint passing move in transition making it 3-1 at 16:51 of the first period. That nullified Jordan Hickmott's goal that made it a new game. HIT OF THE DAY Not a lot to write home about tonight. Tochkin had a nice hit on Craig McCallum midway through the second period, catching McCallum with a shoulder when he was looking the other way. THREE STARS First star: Maxwell. Two goals and an assist. He's scored twice in consecutive games, and he has five goals in two career games against Prince Albert. Second star: Froese. A goal and two assists, but wasn't quite himself in the final two periods. Third star: Chris Langkow, Everett. A goal and an assist. While I'm not sold on the penalty kill, I am sold on the somewhat hefty price paid for Langkow. He's been worth every penny as he's playing fantastic hockey. The Herald's honorable mention: Tochkin. Three primary assists, getting rid of the puck quickly each time. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Everett vs. Prince Albert: lineup notes EVERETT Forward lines: Maxwell-Froese-Tochkin Harper-Langkow-Abney McCrea-Dailey-Hunt Elynuik-McGrath-Van de Velde Defensive pairings: Murray-Gudas Rissanen-de la Lande Theriau-Sohor Starting goalie: Simpson Scratches: Minville, Winquist, Iwanski, McDermott. Notes: Most everything returns to normal tonight, with the artists formerly known as the Kid Line back together and all the defensive pairings back to their original configuration. The one change is right wing Cameron Abney moves up to play with Shane Harper and Chris Langkow, with Harper moving over to the left. Left wing Dan Iwanski remains sidelined with his knee injury. PRINCE ALBERT Forward lines: Cameron-Harrison-Revenko McCallum-Maylan-Herrod Cedergren-Hickmott-Kowalski Kochan-McNeill-Herle Defensive pairings: Deck-Aasman Button-Wall Rowley-Ruopp Starting goalie: Zemlak Scratches: Yaworski, Hrynyk, Newell, Aschim. Notes: One injury for the Raiders as defenseman Emerson Hrynyk is out with an abdominal strain. Former Everett draft pick Brendon Wall finally plays his first game at Comcast Arena. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Meet the Tips video now available for viewing Our Meet the 2009 Everett Silvertips video is now up and running on our website. There's some game footage included this year from a handheld video camera the photographers now have available, so that was a nice addition. I think Tyler Maxwell gets the award for biggest ham, and I see they finally found use for that photo of Dale Hunt that was taken during the preseason. So if you have nine spare minutes, go and check it out. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Sneak preview of Prince Albert, Becanic influence in Seattle Everett's next opponent Prince Albert played tonight in Seattle, winning 6-4. Prince Albert led 5-1 midway through the third period before Seattle came storming back. I listened to part of the third period of the game on the internet, just out of curiosity. Obviously I can't say much about the Raiders based on the broadcast, other than that they didn't hold onto their lead very well. What was interesting, however, is that trailing 5-2 with about eight minutes remaining the T-birds decided to pull their goalie while at even strength. Sound familiar? Everett, of course, was notorious for pulling its goalie early during the Kevin Constantine/John Becanic years. Every time I ever asked an opposing player or coach about it they reacted with surprise and a bit of indignation. That Seattle has now bought in tells me Becanic is having real influence as an assistant with the T-birds. And it nearly worked, as the T-birds pulled back within one and had several chances before Prince Albert finally found the empty net. So if the T-birds find themselves in a similar situation against the Tips this season, I'll be keeping the corner of one eye on Seattle's goal in anticipation of an early extra attacker. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Reader poll: Tips vs. Dawgs It was quite the incredible sports-viewing weekend for me. Saturday night I attended the University of Washington football game and watched the Huskies score 15 points in the final three minutes to beat Arizona 36-33, the game-winning touchdown scored on an interception where the ball deflected into the air off a receiver's foot. Sunday night I watched the Tips fall behind 3-0 before scoring nine straight goals to beat Portland 10-4. Two improbable comebacks performed in two improbable, though very different, manners. But which was more improbable? You decide, and tell us why in the comments section: ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Everett 10, Portland 4 TALKING POINTS There is no way that just happened. Everett played an awful first period, looking dazed and disorganized, and the Tips trailed Portland -- a team that's been smoking opponents -- 3-0 less than 13 minutes into the game. So what next? Why, nine unanswered goals, of course. Huh? I'm not even sure how it happened. But Tyler Maxwell's goal with 2.8 seconds remaining in the first period put a tiny crack in the dike, and then the Silvertip ocean came crashing through to completely flood Portland. Actually, I do have an idea how it happened. Everett's power play sprung to life. The Tips scored on each of their first three power plays, two of which resulted in the tying and go-ahead goals, and Everett just kept scoring as if on the power play the rest of the game. A lot of players got in on the act as 12 different Tips hit the scoresheet. Also, the breaking up of the artists formerly known as the Kid Line lasted all of one period as they reunited in the second and helped spark the rally. Rasmus Rissanen scored his first two WHL goals, which was a nice recovery for him as he had a clunker of a first period. Portland wasn't helped by its goaltending. Kurtis Mucha, who gave up seven goals on 28 shots, had probably his worst game at Comcast Arena in five seasons. And while I understand the Winterhawks had to be frustrated by the way the game went, I'd have to say they weren't exactly the picture of grace in defeat. The third period was quite the circus, with Brad Ross (16 penalty minutes in the period) playing the role of the ringmaster. Finally, a word about the boards. Now in its seventh season, Comcast Arena is starting to show some age, and the bad bounces along the boards in the home end have gotten out of control. I've seen more bad bounces from pucks rimmed around the boards in three home game than I'd see during the entire season in Everett's first five years. Something needs to be done about that because eventually it's going to cost teams games. TURNING POINT It looked like it was going to be a blowout in favor of Portland. But with time winding down in the first period Maxwell one-timed a shot off the rush that beat Mucha with 2.8 seconds remaining to give Everett a glimmer of hope. Who could have known how much the game would change after that? HIT OF THE DAY Ross got a good lick in on Ryan Murray early in the first period when he got a shoulder into Murray's chest while Murray was off balance, sending Murray sprawling. THREE STARS First star: Maxwell. Two goals and an assist, and his goals were the game changers. Second star: Chris Langkow, Everett. Also two goals and an assist, he wins a lot of battles out there. Third star: Shane Harper, Everett. A goal and three assists, he now has 10 points in five games. The Herald's honorable mention: Alex Theriau, Everett. Yes, all of his assists were secondary, but a player deserves mention when he had more points in one game (four) as he had in his entire Everett career previously (three). ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Everett vs. Portland: lineup notes EVERETT Forward lines: McCrea-Froese-Tochkin Maxwell-Langkow-Harper Van de Velde-Dailey-Hunt Elynuik-McGrath-Abney Defensive pairings: Theriau-Gudas Murray-de la Lande Rissanen-Sohor Starting goalie: Heemskerk Scratches: Minville, Winquist, Iwanski, McDermott. Notes: So it's happened. The artists formerly known as the Kid Line are not listed together for the start of today's game, with left wing Tyler Maxwell moved onto the line with Chris Langkow and Shane Harper, while Markus McCrea takes Maxwell's place alongside Byron Froese and Kellan Tochkin. The defensive pairings are also switched up as all three combinations change. Left wing Dan Iwanski sits with his knee injury, so left wing Campbell Elynuik makes his 2009-10 debut. Center D.Jay McGrath comes in for Josh Winquist, who joins defensemen Gabe Minville and Drew McDermott as healthy scratches. PORTLAND Forward lines: Boychuk-Schneider-Jordan Walker-Francis-Rattie Bennett-Berglund/Swenson-Reddin Ross-Johansen-Niederreiter Defensive pairings: Ponich-Bobbee Rutkowski-Aronson Morrow-Johnston Starting goalie: Mucha Scratches: Gabriel, Kopitar, Peters, Wotherspoon, Berglund/Swenson Notes: Center Jacob Berglund appears to be a question mark, though he's not listed on the injury report, so both he and Seth Swenson are taking the warm-up. Left wing Oliver Gabriel is out with a spleen injury. Forwards Gaspar Kopitar and Taylor Peters and defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon are healthy scratches. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Season starts for real tomorrow Enjoy today. Catch some college football. Have a night out with the family. Get what you need done now, because this will be your last chance for the rest of the season. Today marks the final day of back-to-back weekend with no Friday or Saturday games for the Tips. I'm pretty sure that's never happened before, and I'll be surprised if it ever happens again. It certainly doesn't happen again this season. Over the past two weekends the Tips had four total Fridays and Saturdays off. Not including Christmas break, Everett has just five the remainder of the season, and never two in the same weekend. And now the season begins in earnest for the Tips. Everett played just four games over the season's first 23 days. By the time tomorrow arrives Tri-City will be the only other team that's played fewer than seven, and many will have reached double digits. Meanwhile, Everett's season has been more like a series of false starts. Every time the Tips feel like the season has started, along comes another week off to make it feel like the preseason again. But tomorrow's game precedes the first three-game week of the season, and then Everett will be off and running. That's why I'm having a hard time putting much into evaluating the Tips so far. When teams play and average of three times a week, one-game weeks don't really give an account of what teams can do. Too much rust and too little weariness to get a grasp on a team's abilities. Following next Saturday's game at Kelowna we can start to get a handle on how good this Tips team really is. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment |
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